Medycyna Wet. 66 (1), 63-65, 2010
| Kośla T., Skibniewska E.M., Skibniewski M. : |
| Calcium content in the tissues of European bisons from the Białowieża primeval forest in relation to sex and age |
| Summary The aim of the studies was to determine the content of calcium in the tissues of European bisons free-living in the Białowieża primeval forest depending on their sex and age. The material for analyses was obtained in winter from 20 European bisons (hair, from 21) aged from 5 months to 5 years, which were eliminated as part of the annual selection. Segments of tissues and organs: livers, kidneys, ribs, muscles, hoofs and hair were collected during an autopsy, put into sterile plastic bags, chilled and stored at the temperature of -20oC until the analyses could be performed. Samples of hair were collected from the bisons’ backs. The animals were grouped according to sex (males – females) and age (calves of up to one year of age – animals aged over two years). The calcium content in the samples of tissues and organs (except hoofs) was determined by the Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry method at an accredited laboratory. The content of calcium in the hoof samples was determined by the ICP – MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry) method at the same laboratory. The results obtained were analyzed statistically using the test of the least significant difference LSD. The investigations showed that neither age nor sex significantly differentiates calcium content in the liver, kidneys, ribs, hair and hooves of European bisons. Muscles are an exception from this rule since their calcium content does depend on the age of animals, though not on their sex. |
| Key words: European bison, calcium, sex, age |